A Raised Vegetable Garden

Van Cleef estimates that a professional would charge $2,500 to design and build the beds, fence and arbor, but do-it-yourselfers can cut that cost to $850, of which $250 is for the fence and arbor. She gives the project a 2 on a scale of 1 (easy) to 5 (difficult) and says that it can be completed in two weekends.

Step One: Building the Beds

Choose a location that gets plenty of sun and isn't surrounded by too many trees that would compete with the vegetables for nutrients and water. Rake out a level spot and mark the layout of the beds with landscapers' spray paint.

This project includes five beds: 5 feet long by 4 feet wide and 2 feet apart. Van Cleef chose redwood, but you can save some money by buying cedar or Douglas fir. Don't use pressure-treated lumber, though, because the chemicals used to treat the lumber will leach into the soil. The boxes are built with 2x12s anchored with one-foot posts at each corner.

Step Two: Placing the Boxes

Place the boxes and drive 18-inch foundation stakes (about $2 each) into the ground at the inside corners of the boxes. Hammer them about one foot into the ground and attach them to the posts with 3-inch galvanized screws (figure E).

Fill the boxes with a loose, organic-rich soil. To cap the rims of the boxes, use smooth 2x6s, which will double as a ledge for sitting or holding tools. Cut the ends at 45-degree angles so that they fit together at the corners (figure F).

Make simple paths between the boxes by laying a layer of weed block fabric. Cover it with a couple of inches of gravel (such as Lodi pebbles, available for $50/cubic yard) and rake it level for a comfortable walking surface. Figure G shows the completed raised beds.

Step Three: Building the Fence

A split-rail fence is easy to build and allows you to see the vegetable garden, while setting it apart from the rest of the yard. Pre-cut, 8-foot rails are available at home supply stores for about $10, and 5-foot posts cost about $13. Van Cleef's arbor design is 7-1/2 feet tall and 4 feet wide, with a roofline that mimics the roof of the shed.

The arbor roof has a two-tiered gable design. Cut 4x4 redwood posts to length. For the angled roof, nail a spacer in between two posts for a one-foot depth (figure I).

Attach 2x4s to each side of the ridge beam, as shown in figure J, creating a peaked effect. Build another longer peak in the same manner. Link the two tiers with angled studs and attach with galvanized screws.

Figure K shows how they look together, but don't attach the roof to the posts yet.

To install the arbor, sink the posts into holes and attach temporary spacers to keep them plumb and 4 feet apart, with temporary braces at the base (figure L).

With the help of a friend, set the roof on top of the posts. Tack it in place and then secure it with 2-inch screws. Fill up the post holes with concrete and let set overnight (figure M).

Van Cleef selected an assortment of flowers and vegetables for the beds, including tomatoes, artichokes, lettuces, and strawberries. She planted basil next to the tomatoes because it improves the taste of tomatoes. Marigolds attract beneficial pollinaters to the beds and may deter snails.

Plant the boxes in rows that run north to south to take full advantage of the sun. Plant taller varieties towards the north end so that they won't shade the lower ones. Or plant in other patterns to make the beds more visually interesting. Just remember to follow the planting guidelines for each plant.

To continue with the old-fashioned country feel of the project, Van Cleef chose brightly colored, fragrant flowers to attract pollinaters such as bumblebees. She also planted climbing roses at the fence posts to soften the rustic lines, climbing vines along the back fence, and lavender to provide fragrance. Her selections include:

• Rosa 'Altissimo', Zones 5-9, which blooms spring through fall and climbs up arbors or fences
  
• Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia), Zones 5-8, which features long stalks of scented flowers that are great for drying for potpourri and sachets